The dark side of showbiz spotlight

The dark side of showbiz spotlight

TNN | Updated: Jan 15, 2017, 06:07 IST

Jiah Khan���s suicide only reaffirms the ugly side of the glamour industry. Our stars may have a horde of fans who adore them, but often they���re lonely and empty inside. And in an impulsive moment, some succumb to the pressure and decide to let it all go. Tollywood too has had its share of actors who wanted to give up on life. While some were saved right on time, others didn���t make it. Hyderabad Times brings you the story.
Divya Bharti (April, 1993) Divya Bharti, who made her debut in filmdom with a Telugu film, Bobbili Raja, opposite Venkatesh, became an overnight star. The actress, who was in much demand in T-town, delivered many hits and and set trends with her bold, ���mini-skirt��� act. After her Telugu stint, Divya Bharthi took on Bollywood too and met with great success there as well. However, on April 5, 1993, the actress shocked everyone when she fell to her death from her five-storied apartment, under mysterious circumstances. Speculation was rife that the actress committed suicide, but nothing was conclusive. The Telugu film, Tholi Muddu, was the last film she shot for. The film wasn���t even complete and the makers had to complete the shoot with actress Rambha, who was touted to be Divya Bharti���s look-alike.

Silk Smitha (September 1996) Vijayalakshmi, from Eluru, Andhra Pradesh, popularly known as Silk Smitha, was a huge phenomenon in South cinema. And still is, thanks to all the biopics and the renewed interest in her colourful life and career. Married off at a very young age, she escaped the harassment meted out to her by her in-laws and husband and headed to Chennai, where she joined films. She changed her name to Smitha and made her debut with a Malayalam film. After a long struggle, she got her break with the film,Vandichakkaram and became popular as Silk Smitha. After a long career, the actress wanted to settle down and was even planning to become a producer. On September 23, 1996, she was found dead in her apartment in Chennai. It was suspected that financial trouble, a failed love life and alcholism led Smitha to depression and pushed her to take her own life by poisoning herself.

Bhargavi ( December 2008) Actress Bhargavi of Ashta Chemma fame died under mysterious circumstances on December 16, 2008 at her residence in Banjara Hills. Her body was found along with the body of her boyfriend, Bujji, a bottle of poison and a suicide note. Police suspected that Bujji murdered Bhargavi before consuming poison himself. Bhargavi got recognition with a small role in YVS Chowdary���s Devdas before she made a mark in Ashta Chemma. Bhargavi even acted in many TV serials, rising to fame with the TV show, Ammamma.com.

Pratyusha (February 2002) Pratyusha was a promising Telugu actress. Though she acted in only a few films in the Telugu and Tamil films, she proved her mettle. On February 23, 2002, the actress allegedly committed suicide along with her boyfriend Siddhartha Reddy. The two were apparently childhood sweethearts, who even went to the same school and college, and wanted to get married to each other. But , the family members reportedly rejected their marriage plans. Dejected, Pratyusha and Siddhartha allegedly consumed poison. While Siddhartha survived, the actress died, despite being rushed to a private hospital. While this case was being widely reported in the media, her mother alleged that Pratyusha didn���t commit suicide, but was raped and murdered.

Alphonsa (March 2012) Actress and item girl Alphonsa, who is popular in Telugu and Tamil industries, reportedly attempted suicide at her residence in Chennai on March 4, 2012. According to reports, Alphonsa swallowed sleeping pills before she was discovered unconscious by her family members at her residence. The actress was immediately rushed to a hospital. The reason for her suicide attempt is said to be her troubled love affair with her boyfriend, who succumbed to death by hanging himself from a ceiling fan at his residence. The actress got recognition for her role in Puri Jagannadh���s Amma Nanna Tamil Ammayi.

Aarti Agarwal ( March 2005) Telugu actress Aarti Agarwal attempted suicide on March 23, 2005 at her residence in Hyderabad by consuming bathroom cleaning liquid. She was immediately admitted to a hospital nearby and was later discharged. The reason for her suicide attempt was said to be trouble in her love life. The actress was allegedly dating actor Tarun. An altercation between Aarti Agarwal and her father about this relationship reportedly pushed her to take this step. Later, both the actors denied that they were dating and Aarti even clarified that the upsetting, false rumours were what led her to attempt suicide. Aarti Agarwal made her debut in Tollywood with Nuvvu Naku Nachav, opposite Venkatesh and later went on to become one of the top actresses and shared screen space with all the big stars during her reign.

Gajala (July 2002) Gajala, who made her debut opposite NTR Jr in Student No 1, attempted suicide by consuming sleeping pills at a guest house in Banjara Hills. The incident happened when Gajala came to the city to shoot for her film, Bharatasimha Reddy. Her friend, Sultana from Mumbai and actor Arjun found her in an unconscious stage and rushed her to a hospital nearby. The actress claimed she overdosed on sleeping pills because of ���loneliness and depression���.

Alekhya (August 2007)

Popular film and TV actress, Alekhya alias Suseela, committed suicide in Chennai in August 2007. Alekhya played much-appreciated characters in hit Tollywood movies like Pelli Sandadi and Appula Apparao. The actress was also a popular face on the small screen too for her roles in serials like Balanagamma Pelli, Katha Kaani Katha and Naniyam. After her husband���s death, the actress was mentally upset and was said to be addicted to liquor. In an inebriated condition, she succumbed to her severe mental stress and committed suicide by hanging from a ceiling fan at her house.

Ileana (June 2008)

In June, 2008, strong rumours started doing the rounds that Tollywood star Ileana attempted suicide by overdosing on sleeping pills due to problems in her love life, sending shockwaves across the industry. But the actress came out in the open to clarify that these are just rumours and that she never attempted suicide.

Raja (March, 2010) Actor Raja attempted suicide in March, 2010 allegedly because his film Inkosari didn���t release in many theatres. He reportedly consumed several sleeping pills, but was rushed to a hospital right in time. It was reported that the actor was outraged about the monopoly of a handful of producers in the industry.

All Comments ()+^ Back to Top

Characters Remaining: 3000

Continue without login

or

Login from existing account

FacebookGoogleEmail

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.